阨 (è) - Narrow pass & strategic point

阨Tone 4

è ｜ 6 strokes ｜ radical: 阝

丁恩

阨 · è

Narrow pass;

strategic point;

distress;

hardship;

adversity.

Narrow passstrategic pointdistress

Usage highlights

Narrow passHardship and adversityStrategic pointDistress and difficultyBlockade a passLife's hardships

Synonyms

  • 隘— narrow pass; defile
  • 险— dangerous; perilous
  • 困— difficulty; hardship

Antonyms

  • 通— open; unimpeded
  • 达— reach; attain
  • 顺— smooth; favorable

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The army guarded the narrow pass (阨塞).
  • He faced many hardships in life (人生多阨).
  • The terrain was strategically important (地势险阨).

Collocations

  • Narrow pass(阨塞)
  • Hardship and adversity(困阨)
  • Strategic point(险阨)
  • Distress and difficulty(穷阨)
  • Blockade a pass(阻阨)
  • Life's hardships(人生之阨)

Idioms

  • In dire straits(身处险阨)
  • Blocked at a narrow pass(困于阨塞)
  • Face adversity with fortitude(临阨不惧)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to narrow mountain passes that were strategically important for defense.
  • Extended meaning to describe difficult circumstances and hardships in life.
  • Often used in classical Chinese literature to describe challenging situations.

FAQ